Project Unnati's Impact and Initiatives for women empowerment in India Project Unnati's Impact and Initiatives for women empowerment in India

 

Empowering Women through Innovation: The Success Story of Lodha Unnati and Tech-Mahindra

In a pioneering initiative to bridge gender gaps in the workforce, Lodha Foundation’s Unnati program has partnered with Tech-Mahindra to create transformative employment opportunities for women. This marks the end of a successful pilot program that is setting the stage for broader collaboration to empower women obtain formal employment in multiple cities across the country.

Unnati, a flagship initiative by the Lodha Foundation, is dedicated to empowering women by dismantling the barriers that prevent their participation in the formal workforce. Through the Unnati Skill Development Centre, Unnati not only offers job readiness and placement services but also supports women access mentorship that may be the first time to avail such opportunities to become job-ready with professional support. These efforts are designed to nurture an ecosystem where women professionals can have choices: to obtain opportunities crucial to personal and professional development, realize financial independence and thrive.

Despite the progress, integrating women into the global workforce, especially in roles that offer the flexibility of working from home, remains a challenge. Historically, Tech-Mahindra’s international clients had reservations about remote working arrangements which limited opportunities for women needing flexible work environments due to caregiving and domestic responsibilities.

The Pilot Program
Recognizing the need for innovative employment solutions, Tech-Mahindra and Unnati launched a first-of-its-kind Work-from-home pilot. The initiative began with a meticulous screening process by Unnati to identify candidates who were not only skilled but had taken significant career breaks and were looking to re-enter the workforce.

After rigorous assessments, initially over 30 women were identified for interviews. Ultimately, of the 30+ women interviewed, five women were selected for a short-term, paid, contract-based employment opportunity, backed by three weeks of specialized training — extending beyond the standard one-week onboarding. This additional training was crucial in equipping them with the skills and confidence needed for their new roles.

Impact and Results
The results were overwhelmingly positive. The participants reported substantial benefits from the pilot, including the acquisition of new skills in robotics, engaging in meaningful work from home, earning a consistent salary, and successfully balancing professional commitments with personal responsibilities. Their success has prompted Tech-Mahindra to consider how to extend more gender- responsive employment opportunities to women. For instance, as much of the opportunities in Tech-Mahindra require a night shift, Tech-Mahindra has suggested exploring opportunities and incentives for women employees with young children to have options for night care for their children, enabling them to work during the nights with the comfort of knowing their children are resting peacefully and safely at home. Working nights will enable them to then rest and take care of their families and personal needs during the day.

Encouraged by the pilot’s success, Unnati and Tech-Mahindra are now exploring ways to expand this model. Plans are underway to design targeted recruitment support in other cities and to address social barriers by educating families and communities about the benefits of such employment opportunities. The focus is also on reaching out to women in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, thereby broadening the impact in places where there may be less employment opportunities for women.

This partnership between Lodha Unnati and Tech-Mahindra illustrates the power of public-private collaborations in creating sustainable and inclusive work environments that are adaptable to the unique needs of women. As this initiative continues to grow, it promises to pave the way for more women to achieve economic independence and professional fulfillment, proving that targeted efforts can indeed lead to substantial societal change.

Stay tuned as we continue to share updates on this evolving partnership, which aims not only to support women in finding quality employment but also to set a benchmark for inclusive practices in the workforce across industries. Join us in this journey towards creating a more equitable workplace for all.